20110515
reuters

Egypt's Pope Shenouda, head of the Orthodox Coptic church, called on Christians to abandon a demonstration against attacks on their community after a clash overnight left 78 wounded.

Christians have been gathered for more than a week in front of the state television building to call for equal rights in Muslim-majority Egypt and to demand that all perpetrators of crimes against their community be held to account.

The protest began last week after fighting in a Cairo suburb left at least 12 people dead and at least one church burned. Witnesses said Salafists -- followers of a strict interpretation of Islam -- had surrounded a church and demanded the release of a woman who had allegedly converted to Islam.

Unidentified gunmen fired shots at the protesters in the early hours of Sunday, and police responded by firing teargas at the gunmen and blanks into the air. Some of the Christians threw rocks at the attackers.

"My protesting sons and daughters, the matter has gone beyond expression of opinions and there are those who have come between you and who have ways that are not your own," a statement from Pope Shenouda said.

"There are now fights and exchange of fire which are hurting Egypt's reputation and yours too and therefore this protest must be immediately broken up," the statement said.

POPE "TOO FORGIVING"

Some 2,000 protesters remained in place and vowed to continue the demonstration.

"We will not leave until our demands are met. The pope is a man of religion but he is too forgiving and his people want their rights. We see that our rights are always being overlooked," Beshara Marzouk said.